Two bridges near Kendal could be demolished

Two bridges over the A591 that were closed due safety concerns could be demolished.

A council report says Brigsteer and Underbarrow are reinforced concrete half-joint bridges built between 1970 and 1971 and that there is concern about bridges of this construction type.

Last week, Westmorland and Furness Council held a public meeting on the closures of Brigsteer and Underbarrow bridges.

Following the meeting the council said they will work with Cumbria Police to tackle reports of dangerous driving and speeding vehicles on the diversion route, review the verge maintenance work on the diversion route and introduce signage to promote safe pedestrian routes avoiding the A591.

Westmorland and Furness Council are considering possible solutions after Brigsteer and Underbarrow bridges over the A591 were closed last month following an external expert report.

The two main objectives of the council in the short-term are to restore links across the A591 and minimise disruption to motorists.

The council has commissioned a consulting engineer to undertake a review (second on the findings of the initial Jacobs assessment.

They are also appointing a specialist to project manage and conduct an options and feasibility study that will confirm the best short-term solution for restoring the link across the bridges.

Options include propping the bridge at its ‘half-joint’ locations, or demolishing the bridges and installing temporary ones.

The current bridges could also be ‘propped’, supporting the structure from above the bridge.

Short-term solutions can be funded from council finances, but if the bridges need to be rebuilt, money would be sought from the Department for Transport.